Track review: Adele, 'Skyfall'

By Ernest Wilkins, @ErnestWilkins

**** (out of 4)

What do you think of when you hear the name James Bond? Gun battles? Martinis? Promiscuous sex with women from Eastern European nations?

Well, yeah. But if you're like me, you associate the character with the opening credits. There's silouhettes of pretty women, fast cars, and always a theme tailored to the film. Recently, the Bond films have suffered from attempts to modernize the theme song even as the franchise has found new life with Daniel Craig in 007's shoes (and suits).

I'm here to tell you that those days are over, baby. With "Skyfall," Adele picks up the torch for a long running tradition of British chanteuses belting for Bond. The song is exactly what you would expect: Lush instrumentalization (she sang in front of a 77-piece orchestra) adds to the already-impressive vocal stylings that made her a star. It's not as high energy as "Diamonds are Forever" but it still gets the job done.

The track is a return to form, and if it doesn't get you hyped for the movie, you're not a Bond fan.